DCG Project 2013

ScummyMan

Does anyone know when we will be getting the brief for this?

One of the few things I'm kinda looking forward to this year tbh, I've always had an interest in Solid Works.

Eurovisionmad

Probably going to come out around the last week of September.

I'm looking forward to it, I love SolidWorks (though I've yet to get a copy for myself ) and like doing it but my teachers is fairly hapless! I think we're really behind on the drawing half of the course, and some of the more basic things on SolidWorks he doesn't even know :mad:

I would dearly love something like a smartphone, last year (a perfume bottle) was fairly hard, trying to improve that would've been tough!

ScummyMan

I managed to get a copy for myself at the start of the year alright, working on making a PSP atm.

Yep something like a smartphone or game controller would be ideal, last years was a nightmare.

mcpaddington

I did it last year and to be honest it wasn't that difficult, you have a choice between an improvement or a new design based on the topics they give you, I basically just copied the Zippo lighter design (going with the culture option) and bang, A2

nariek1

H.L = Lectern
O.L = A Clock
Both projects a decent.

Eurovisionmad

nariek1 wrote: »

H.L = Lectern
O.L = A Clock
Both projects a decent.

I presume that's this years?

Sounds good, a lectern allows for a lot change and imagination in it's design.

ScummyMan

Oh god I hope its not that!

How the fluck are you meant to do a concept design on a lectern??!

mcpaddington

Man.UnitedLad wrote: »

Oh god I hope its not that!

How the fluck are you meant to do a concept design on a lectern??!

Stick in a touchscreen to allow people to control a projector, add speakers, be creative. You can add strobe lights to give seizures for all anyone cares.

Eurovisionmad

mcpaddington wrote: »

Man.UnitedLad wrote: »

Oh god I hope its not that!

How the fluck are you meant to do a concept design on a lectern??!

Stick in a touchscreen to allow people to control a projector, add speakers, be creative. You can add strobe lights to give seizures for all anyone cares.

Yeah he's right, we were always told the more bizarre the better!

kingcobra

nariek1 wrote: »

H.L = Lectern
O.L = A Clock
Both projects a decent.

Ah jaysus a lecturn sounds crap How do you know this for sure though?

seavill

Schools received the briefs on Friday

ScummyMan

Yep its a lectern alright we got our briefs today :mad:

My main gripe with it is that its going to be very difficult to get measurements to build it on Solid Works.

curly135

Man.UnitedLad wrote: »

My main gripe with it is that its going to be very difficult to get measurements to build it on Solid Works.

It's some change in size alright compared to other years... like the perfume bottle from last year and the sat nav the year before would be handy enough for taking measurements :pac:

Still happy enough with it though, plenty of room for new design ideas!

ScummyMan

Jesus this really is a brutal title, were brainstorming atm for outputs 1 and 2, and I have no idea what to write about! A history of lecterns?

Any ideas? :pac:

Barster

Anybody have any tips for the project as a whole? , need at least a B2 in the subject need all the help I can get thanks greatly apprecited , starting output 1 as we speak ... any design ideas?

DonallFitz

So what are people's thoguhts on the DCG Project for higher level 2013? Bit boring right?
"Carry out a design investigation of the physical form and features of modern lecterns"
My imagination is drawing blank

Eurovisionmad

DonallFitz wrote: »

So what are people's thoguhts on the DCG Project for higher level 2013? Bit boring right?
"Carry out a design investigation of the physical form and features of modern lecterns"
My imagination is drawing blank

With regards to section A yeah, it could be a bit tough, but I've plenty of ideas for Section B and the concept design, the lectern is great for that because unlike a phone you can go mad with the design!

nariek1

Barster wrote: »

Anybody have any tips for the project as a whole? , need at least a B2 in the subject need all the help I can get thanks greatly apprecited , starting output 1 as we speak ... any design ideas?

Best advice is to avoid the temptation to simply copy/pasting text/images from Internet for output 1, instead have precise detailed text with neat, accurate sketches and crucially evidence of primary research eg your own pic's of artefacts and cuttings from mag's catalogues etc. For the Solidworks section ensure 2 have at LEAST the minimum of 5 distinct parts, keep it relatively simple as u won't get extra marks for over elaborate modelling but have measurements as accurate and realistic as possible. For section B, in general new concept gets more marks than modification output.

Mayo_Boy

Anybody have a link to the brief? I did the fragrance bottle last year

seavill

Mayo_Boy wrote: »

Anybody have a link to the brief? I did the fragrance bottle last year

http://t4.ie/Assessment/LC-DCG/Assignment/DCG%20Student%20Assignment%202013(EV).pdf

Zackattack117

Does anyone want to share/help me out with the History of the Lectern? spent about an hour or two and can't find a thing about it thats worth writing, anybody I know in school either can't find it or isn't willing to help out.

Yakuza42

nariek1 wrote: »

Best advice is to avoid the temptation to simply copy/pasting text/images from Internet for output 1, instead have precise detailed text with neat, accurate sketches and crucially evidence of primary research eg your own pic's of artefacts and cuttings from mag's catalogues etc. For the Solidworks section ensure 2 have at LEAST the minimum of 5 distinct parts, keep it relatively simple as u won't get extra marks for over elaborate modelling but have measurements as accurate and realistic as possible. For section B, in general new concept gets more marks than modification output.

This post pretty much says it all. I did my Leaving 3 years ago, simple projects done well always get the best marks. I went on to do Architecture in DSA and the same still stands. So no copying / pasting from internet - nice simple explanatory sketches instead, evidence of your own research and a well managed, sophisticated model and you will be fine.

JackTheGrinder

Just wondering for output 2, in general would it be advisable to compare and contrast 2 completely different lecterns, like a high tech modern one and an ornmamental one from the 18th century, or is it better to compare and contrast 2 modern ones? like with slight differences in design, flexibility etc.?
Help appreciated

Yakuza42

I think that it would be more valuable to the project to compare a traditional lectern and a modern one. Considering the positives and negatives of various improvements, both technological and aesthetic, would give you a basis for your further investigations; and also allow you to use these points (lets say the negatives) as a solid foundation for possible improvements in your own design.

JackTheGrinder

Cool, still haven't starte on output 1, can't get any layout/ideas I like. I'm going to do two pages for output 1 - brief history page and exploration of brief page, then two pages for output 2, contrasting two lecterns with key features first and then two detailed sketches examining the more specific details of the two. do you think that sounds ok?

Yakuza42

JackTheGrinder wrote: »

Cool, still haven't starte on output 1, can't get any layout/ideas I like. I'm going to do two pages for output 1 - brief history page and exploration of brief page, then two pages for output 2, contrasting two lecterns with key features first and then two detailed sketches examining the more specific details of the two. do you think that sounds ok?

Sorry I was late replying, I was busy with work the past few days. That sounds pretty good but I haven't read the brief for the 2012 DCG project yet. I'm not sure if it is still run by T4. Can somebody post a link to the brief or contact me with a private message to e-mail me a PDF. Maybe if I read into it a bit more I can offer some better advice.

JackTheGrinder

Hey this is the link to the brief:
http://www.t4.ie/Assessment/LC-DCG/Assignment/DCG%20Student%20Assignment%202013%28EV%29.pdf

Glad to listen to any advice you have

Yakuza42

I've just gone through the brief trying to pick out what they are looking for and I've included some quick questions that could get ideas going in relation to Output 1.

Modern lecterns are available in a wide range of shapes, forms and materials.

[Try to research a few different types of shapes, even ones that you don't particularly like. They want to see that you have looked at every style and understand how they are different. Figure out why some materials are better for the purpose than others. The texture and warmth of wood are nice properties for a lectern, because people will be resting their hands on it and engaging directly with the material, whilst for example, carbon fiber or some other FRP will allow you create forms that would be too complex for traditional construction, at the expense of the texture and workmanship of wood.]

Originally they consisted of a sloping surface with a ledge to hold a book, dictionary or other papers while its user read or lectured from a standing position.

[This could prompt an investigation into the ergonomics of the modern lectern, or how well they fit the body. What is the ideal distance from the eye that a person should read a book? Does this distance correspond with reading from a lectern? Can it be improved by raising or lowering the height of the shelf? Etc.]

More recently many lecterns facilitate multimedia presentations with built in sound systems, auto cue, etc.

[Once again, a thorough investigation into all types of multimedia facilities will be required here. They want to see that you have researched all possibilities and that you own design is well informed. I'm not really sure of what examples to give here, but I presume you could research speakers, volume controls, lighting controls, maybe a docking station for a laptop or iPhone? Think about the devices people use on a day to day basis, would it be good to be able to work on your presentation on your iPhone on the way to work and to then play it straight to the projector?]

(A) Carry out a design investigation of the physical form and features of modern lecterns.Your design investigation should include a brief exploration of the development of the lectern over the ages.

[See information above. With regards to the development of the lectern over the ages you could maybe do it in a timeline format, going from the very first lecterns all the way up to the present day, showing key changes along the way. Maybe the first lecterns were just a rock for example, something that differentiated the speaker from his audience. Maybe the next step was that a platform for a book or paper was introduced, and then a touchscreen etc etc..]

I probably started ranting there for the last bit but maybe you will get an idea or two from it. When you are looking for stuff on the internet, Google searches can be good, but a lot of the time your just going to get a very narrow view of what a lectern could be. I.e if you all search for 'Lectern' 9 times out of 10 they will be all alike. A good way to think outside the box is to sift through design websites. You probably wont find any lecterns but for example you might find a cool chair, or a table, or even some material or shape that you think might work with the project. Here as some ideas:

www.notcot.org

http://www.designboom.com/design.html

http://www.dezeen.com/

http://www.flyingarchitecture.com/category/3d-models/furniture-3d-models/

Eurovisionmad

Looked at Google Trends for "Lecterns", ahhh now lads! :L

BenMcCabe

I'm finished my modern lectern on solidworks now, not lookin so bad just need to sketch up and old one and compare and contrast them, then I'm onto makin' my own one.

Bit of a dodgy project to be honest, lecterns in all fairness...

curly135

BenMcCabe wrote: »

I'm finished my modern lectern on solidworks now, not lookin so bad just need to sketch up and old one and compare and contrast them, then I'm onto makin' my own one.

I can't help but feel worried after reading that, I'm only starting the Solidworks output this week

BenMcCabe

curly135 wrote: »

I can't help but feel worried after reading that, I'm only starting the Solidworks output this week

Well I have absolutely nothin done it's the first thing I started, need to get drawins and a **** tonne of stuff done too

JackTheGrinder

Just planning out the project as a whole atm - 14 page maximum I see:
So does this sound about right?

Output # 1 - 2 pages
#2 - 2
#3 - 1
#4 - none
#5 - 2
#6 - 1
#7 - 3
#8 - 1
#9 - 2

Adds up to 14 - about right?

iFreeley

Anybody want to post up pics of the lecterns they made? Not the actual solidworks work, the pic from the internet. Curious to see what everyone else is making

BenMcCabe

Making this bad boy here, just about finished it now, teacher says It'll be good if I make the buttons work so may aswell if Im gonna go for an A haha

KealanOCarroll

BenMcCabe wrote: »

teacher says It'll be good if I make the buttons work

Does he/she mean make them move rather than being solid bosses extruded from the main part ?

BenMcCabe

KealanOCarroll wrote: »

Does he/she mean make them move rather than being solid bosses extruded from the main part ?

Exactly yeah make them as separate parts and put a limit mate on them, easy enough to do

JackTheGrinder

For output 4, does every single sketch need to be fully defined? I have tried to do this for the most part but I think I may have left a few at the start because they didn't exactly need to be fully defined to achieve what I wanted. Will the examiner specificaly check every single sketch does anybody know?

mmcinerney

BenMcCabe wrote: »

Exactly yeah make them as separate parts and put a limit mate on them, easy enough to do

well that depressed me and my view of my ability at solidworks i suppose i better start doing them now.

Question guys. for the solidworks should I do the slightly boring shaped modern lectern with tech on it, or go for this real nice marble church one that is all extruded parts and fillets. it would really show a wide variety of skills. thing is no technology in it what so ever ??


what ye think

spurious

iFreeley wrote: »

Anybody want to post up pics of the lecterns they made? Not the actual solidworks work, the pic from the internet. Curious to see what everyone else is making

Reminding people not to post pictures or details of SEC exam work before it is marked.

It is really not at all advisable (to put it mildly).

JackTheGrinder

On output 2 at the minute, so how are people laying this one out? One page for decribing their chosen lecterns in detail and another for comparing and contrasting with sketches and shizz? sound A1-ish?

ScummyMan

JackTheGrinder wrote: »

On output 2 at the minute, so how are people laying this one out? One page for decribing their chosen lecterns in detail and another for comparing and contrasting with sketches and shizz? sound A1-ish?

What I did is for my first page I compared the features on both lecterns, microphone shelf etc. On the second page I compared mostly the physical features and shapes using mostly sketches.

JackTheGrinder

cheers, ya im am doing something similar just struggling to find whole lot different or similar between my modern lectern and my more basic antique lectern... hmmm

A55A55IN8R

BenMcCabe wrote: »

Making this bad boy here, just about finished it now, teacher says It'll be good if I make the buttons work so may aswell if Im gonna go for an A haha

Hey, I'm picking this lectern too! I'm halfway through my design feature comparison and i was just wondering is there enough parts to achieve full marks? Our teacher says 10 to 13 substantial parts are neccessary but I've been finding it hard to find an appealing lectern that has that many parts? how has everyone else been finding it?

seavill

3 parts OL 5 parts HL required for the project

A55A55IN8R

seavill wrote: »

3 parts OL 5 parts HL required for the project

Thanks for the reply yeah thats the official minimum but for maximum marks 10 parts with a nice degree of difficulty is required, I've found finding a lectern that meets those requirements isn't easy...

seavill

Yes a degree of difficulity is required to get the maximum marks, however 10-13 parts are certainly not required.
There has never been a figure given out to receive the maximum marks. Technically if you do everything correctly and there is a degree of difficulty you can get full marks with only 5 parts.
Do 13 parts poorly or not mated correctly etc. you will still not get full marks, however you will waste a huge amount of time doing this.

There is a minimum and that is all. You should do however many is required without going overboard. If you do 6 parts perfectly you will receive full marks. Saying you must hit 10 or 13 makes no sense particularly when the lectern, as you say yourself, is very difficult to break into that many parts.

BenMcCabe

I've got about 10 parts with more to come, they add up over time.
What did everyone do for the comparing and contrast, I have nothing done only Solidworks so far

omgwatsbehindu

Have to have Output 1,2 and 3 done by next Monday. Haven't even started on solid works yet. Am I really behind?

seavill

Practice it at home now so that once you are in school you won't waste time trying to figure things out.

Despite what people think it is hugely important to do the outputs in order. Each output leads into the next and by going back afterwards and filling in outputs 1,2,3 based on what you did in output 4 will be obvious to the examiner. If you have done it the other way around there is nothing you can do about it now but just try to make sure all your pages link in and make sense like your 14 pages are telling a story from start to finish and make sense

If you are only starting output 4 now you are fine. Again spend time at home practicing how to draw each part until you have it perfected, take notes if you need to, and then once you are in school you can fly through it.

mmcinerney

A55A55IN8R wrote: »

Thanks for the reply yeah thats the official minimum but for maximum marks 10 parts with a nice degree of difficulty is required, I've found finding a lectern that meets those requirements isn't easy...

In fairness 10 parts is riduculous, espcially for laying out the elevation, end elevations etc. it will be too cluttered. a lad in our school got a perfert project last year and the year before one of the lads got a perfect DCG exam 400 out of 400 AND did an extra question.

they both did 5 parts for the solid works. Quality not quantity in a project like this